Senator Bill Hagerty, a Republican from Tennessee, expressed agreement with his colleagues in the Senate regarding the issue of federal funding for universities that allow antisemitic protesters on their campuses. In a recent appearance on Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street show, Hagerty discussed the reports of college students being arrested during pro-Palestinian demonstrations, some of whom were charged with misdemeanors like trespassing and assaulting police officers. Videos from these protests showed signs of antisemitism, prompting concern among senators from both parties.
Hagerty acknowledged that extreme demonstrations often occur during presidential election cycles, citing past movements like Occupy Wall Street and Black Lives Matter riots. He emphasized the need to address the discriminatory behavior and violence on college campuses, attributing it to an “over the top” DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiative that indoctrinates young people with a binary oppressor vs. oppressed mentality.
As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which oversees Treasury funds, Hagerty pledged to address the issue in upcoming discussions. He joined Senators Mitch McConnell, Rick Scott, Joni Ernst, and others in calling for the withholding of funding from universities that fail to condemn student protesters.
It’s worth noting that Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington and the committee chair, represents a state where there have been no reported student arrests at pro-Palestinian protests. McConnell, the only other committee member, also supports halting funding for universities that do not take action against such behavior.
